Finally getting down to business and sharing with you guys what my goals are for 2017. Can we say Ooh la la? I think so. I also didn’t want to just pick one word for 2017, so I went with two: Passion & Consistency. As you know, when you are happy is because you’re doing the things your heart desires. I like to think that passion is not too far behind. Because if you don’t do something with passion, then why even do it? For me, once I am passionate about something I am relentless and won’t stop until I get to where I need to. When it comes to my goals for this year, I want to have my passion be the fuel that gets me to finish out my goals.

In the same token, consistency is the key to a lot of things. If you’re wishy washy and do things every now and then, it won’t all come together as it should. It needs to be driven with momentum and consistency is the glue that ties them all together.

So let’s dive right into my goals. I’m going to categorize them so that it’s a little more organized. In summary though, they are:

• Blog related
• Photography
• Books
• Health
• Organize
• Travel
• Finances
• Seize the day

To keep myself on track I’m going to do an update/series once a month and for Bella & The City subscribers you’ll get a sneak peek of my behind the scenes that you won’t see here on the blog.

Blog

As you can see around these parts, BATC got a blog makeover! Yasss. This year I want to focus on my blog more than I’ve ever done because it is my baby. I already launched my newsletter and I have so many things in the works. Ultimately, I want to grow my blog by the thousands in every aspect of social media. Now I know I need to be realistic, so I figured out the magic number is gonna be around 10,000 hits a month or more.

I also want to collaborate with bloggers and work with brands that I really love and care about. This is something I’ve never done, but I would like to schedule my posts ahead of time. I like to think I’m a blog-as-you-go blogger, but sometimes I get stumped because I didn’t plan ahead. So to get ahead of that, I want to schedule several posts for those times when I have no idea what to write.

Photography

It goes hand in hand with blogging. Last year I told myself I was going to take more pictures and I didn’t really stick to it. This time, however, I want to make it a point to get back to snapping as many moments as I possibly can throughout the day, even if they’re not share worthy, it’s the thought that counts.

I started a hashtag on Instagram for 2017 selfies, if y’all wanna join me! Use #2017SELFIESLAY

Books

My goal this year is to read 12 books. At first, I set the number too high (25), and I gave myself a reality check and changed it to a number that I will be comfortable with and not totally out of reach. I decided to do a 2017 reading list, and that was a first, but an absolute must. As they say, if you don’t jot it down, you didn’t set a goal.

I’m still trying to come up with books to add to my reading list so if you can recommend some, please comment and let me know. I prefer fiction/memoirs type of books.

Health

Every year I keep trying to throw in a goal to work out regularly and it always falls by the wayside. Well, not anymore. So far I am the heaviest I’ve ever been in my life and when people would say that once you hit your 30’s, it’s super duper hard to lose weight. Well they were not lying my friends! I wish I could go back to my twenties because my metabolism fell down dramatically and I need to get it back in gear. My goal is to work out at least 3 times a week. Also get back into drinking protein shakes and all that jazz.

Meal prep is a must as well. Though I’m not working right now it’s not a must on my list, but I still need to plan out my meals and jot down what I ate. You’d be amazed how when you keep track of what you put into your body, you’re more conscious and aware. My Fitness Pal app is my bestie when it comes to this. Add me (bellaimami) and let’s hold each other accountable.

Organize

I’m not an OCD person, but lately I’ve come to the realization that life is easier when things are organized and it’s SUCH a time saver. The other day I organized my bookmarks in Firefox and I have never done that, but it looks much nicer now and not cluttered. I also cleaned out my hard drive on my laptop and I have a lot more storage. I still want to upgrade and get a new computer (I’ve had mine for 6 years or so) and I have my eye on the Macbook Air.

Travel

I am so excited that now I have a partner in crime to go on trips with and it’s going to be an incredible traveling experience. Starting with this month, Nestor and I are going to San Antonio for a Spurs game. Not gonna lie, I’m hesitant to go on their home turf, but I gotta represent my team. Also going to San Francisco for the first time in my life and I couldn’t be more excited.

Finances

Once I get my finances in order, I want to be able to pay off debt. Still having student loans is not the business and it’s time to pay that off so that I can be financially free. Also, I want to be able to move out on my own again. I miss having my own place and I need to make that my absolute goal to leave my parents’ nest.

Not only is it important for me to get out of debt and move out, I also want to watch my spending. If I don’t need it, I won’t get it. One rule of thumb I want to implement is not buying anything unless it’s on sale or if I have a coupon, or hell, both. I want to get to a point where I pay my bills AHEAD of time. You just never know when a rainy day comes and at least it won’t put a kink in my plans.

Seize the day

This saying never gets old and it rings so true, especially in my life. I want to take each day and be focused day in and out because you can’t live in the past. I want to make it a mission to be in the present and take advantage of every opportunity that comes my way. If I fail, who cares. I’m not going to hold myself back because of fear. This is my time.

So there you have it. My goals for 2017 and my two words to carry me through the year. I’m excited and will roll with whatever obstacles/challenges may come my way.

What about you guys? What are your goals for 2017?